2008 Week 7

After hanging close for three quarters despite an impotent offense, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons faded badly in the fourth quarter, falling to #9 Clemson 31-16.

Clemson struggled early in the game, allowing Wake to take a 9-7 lead into the locker room at halftime. All-American C.J. Spiller suffered a season-ending knee injury on his second carry of the game. Two Tiger turnovers set up field goals for Sam Swank, and the Deacons took a 6-0 lead early in the second quarter. Clemson regained the lead on a 49-yard touchdown pass to wideout Jacoby Ford on 4th-and-1 shortly before halftime. After a patient drive, Swank hit a 28-yarder as time ran out to retake the lead, 9-7.

On the first play of the second half, however, all of Wake's momentum was squandered. Riley Skinner forced a pass into coverage, and it was easily picked off- one of six interceptions for the Tigers. Clemson scored on the next play. Wake regained the lead late in the 3rd quarter when safety Chip Vaughn picked off a swing pass from Cullen Harper and took it 65 yards for a score.

In the fourth quarter, Clemson relied on a punishing running game to wear the Wake defense down. Tailback James Davis broke off a 74-yard run midway through the quarter, and then he iced the game with a 39-yard run with three minutes left.

The Deacons' offense continued to sputter, picking up just nine first downs on the game. Skinner threw six interceptions, and also fumbled twice.